What bike to race

gotwood25
gotwood25 Posts: 314
edited January 2015 in Amateur race
I am looking to make my race debut in the upcoming weeks and was wondering whether or not it makes sense to race my 'good' bike or my 'not so good' bike. Just wondering what you fine people out there made your debuts on and whether or not it would make that much difference in a Cat 4 level crit?

Comments

  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    Without knowing which particular bikes you are talking about, it's impossible to answer usefully. Just race the bike which you think you will perform best on...
  • gotwood25
    gotwood25 Posts: 314
    Apologies, just to add some meat to the bones...

    Good bike - Scott Foil 15
    Not so good bike - Ribble Sportive Azzuro

    I would assume I would perform better on the Foil although without ever racing maybe it would be better to ride the Ribble and not have to be concerned about crashing (as/overly concerned), at least until I get my bearings.

    Just wondering what other peoples approaches were tis all.
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    Honest answer - you're racing, so ride the Foil. If crashing concerns you, either accept it as a risk - or don't race.
  • jgsi
    jgsi Posts: 5,062
    Personally I would use the less expensive bike but would ensure it was race ready.
    Appropriate tyres, everything sweet on it so you can trust it to shift, brake and handle as best you can make it.
    Down to you tho'... a flashier bike is not going to be the difference between 1st or 41st is it really, ask yourself.
  • DavidJB
    DavidJB Posts: 2,019
    JGSI wrote:
    Personally I would use the less expensive bike but would ensure it was race ready.
    Appropriate tyres, everything sweet on it so you can trust it to shift, brake and handle as best you can make it.
    Down to you tho'... a flashier bike is not going to be the difference between 1st or 41st is it really, ask yourself.

    Not in a 4th ct race no...in the higher levels yes.
  • DeVlaeminck
    DeVlaeminck Posts: 9,104
    I don't think it matters what category you race in the better bike should make some small difference if it's lighter, more aero (including fit), handles better etc. Lots of people do save their best bike at first but almost without exception after a couple of races they decide why have a best bike and not race it. If you don't race the Foil you have to ask why have it - if you race the Ribble then you'd be better off training on the Ribble.
    [Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]
  • arthur_scrimshaw
    arthur_scrimshaw Posts: 2,596
    As above, the one you aren't going to get upset about if you crash it.
  • meanredspider
    meanredspider Posts: 12,337
    DeVlaeminck wrote:
    Lots of people do save their best bike at first but almost without exception after a couple of races they decide why have a best bike and not race it. If you don't race the Foil you have to ask why have it

    +1 If you have a competitive bone in your body, you'll want to give yourself every advantage. It probably wouldn't hurt to start on the Ribble until you get the swing of what's happening as it will be a steep learning curve.
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH
  • gotwood25
    gotwood25 Posts: 314
    Cheers all, appreciate the feedback,.. although still uncertain as to what to ride :-)
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    Look at it another way - this is a race, not a sportive - so race the bike which doesn't have 'sportive' in its name.
  • gotwood25
    gotwood25 Posts: 314
    Imposter wrote:
    Look at it another way - this is a race, not a sportive - so race the bike which doesn't have 'sportive' in its name.

    Hahaha Imposter, that is a good point well made, on the flip side I do use the Foil for sportives though :-)

    I'm going with the Foil!
  • meanredspider
    meanredspider Posts: 12,337
    gotwood25 wrote:

    I'm going with the Foil!

    Good choice. Remember that sport is as much mental as it is physical - belief makes all the difference
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH
  • iron-clover
    iron-clover Posts: 737
    Good luck with the racing- I would also probably ride the Foil, although I would possible consider insurance that will cover it in massed start racing if I definitely couldn't afford to replace the frame.

    However, as long as you ride defensively and keep a good eye on what the other riders (and the numpties among them) are doing then you'll probably be allright.
  • jgsi
    jgsi Posts: 5,062
    I'm just glad I have the one bike then... less existential torment.
  • gotwood25
    gotwood25 Posts: 314
    JGSI wrote:
    I'm just glad I have the one bike then... less existential torment.

    Indeed, it is both a blessing and a curse at times :-)
  • mpatts
    mpatts Posts: 1,010
    where are you planning on racing it?

    In cat 4 you see all sorts turning up, and in reality it doesn't make much difference. There are 8k pinarellos and £200 alloy jobs.

    The best advice is to use the cheaper one, but I wouldn't (and don't!).
    Insert bike here:
  • gotwood25
    gotwood25 Posts: 314
    This is the series I am looking to ride, http://velo29events.com/races/winter-series/. As I say never raced before and this seems like a decent introduction.

    May be tempted to try my hand at the handicap race too! Get shouted at by people who know what they are doing, no better way to learn I guess :-)
  • mpatts
    mpatts Posts: 1,010
    gotwood25 wrote:
    This is the series I am looking to ride, http://velo29events.com/races/winter-series/. As I say never raced before and this seems like a decent introduction.

    May be tempted to try my hand at the handicap race too! Get shouted at by people who know what they are doing, no better way to learn I guess :-)

    I did a handicap race last year. I had a perfect plan.

    the cat1/2 went of first, my plan was to 'win' by finishing in their bunch, so I soft pedaled until they came round again, at which point I joined their bunch. The plan went brilliantly for all of 30 seconds, after which I was spat out of the back of the group. I feigned a mechanical then sheepishly went home.
    Insert bike here:
  • gotwood25
    gotwood25 Posts: 314
    Haha I may have to adopt similar tactics, including feigning mechanical! :-)
  • TiRed
    TiRed Posts: 3
    Race what you can afford to replace.

    In 4th cat the sportive will be just fine. I bought a 7 year old used Giant TCR to "go racing" for £400. Now I ride something nicer and faster in E123.
  • Johnpsanderson
    Johnpsanderson Posts: 380
    What's the difference between the two bikes? I.e. which is stiffer, gives you a more aero position, is lighter, has the range of gears better suited to racing (i.e. closer ratios). I'd say that if one bike fits that bill better than the other - then use it.

    But also - 'ride what you are prepared to have to replace' is not bad advice...
    Put me back on my bike...

    t' blog: http://meandthemountain.wordpress.com/
  • gotwood25
    gotwood25 Posts: 314
    Well I went Foil and it survived all in one piece which was my main objective for my debut. Hellish conditions at times with wind and some snow but always felt comfortable in the group so panic over.

    Next race Saturday so get to do it all again! :-)
  • Kryton57
    Kryton57 Posts: 95
    Interesting thread.

    I'm going to race at Hillingdon over the next few weeks, Saturday is my first race this season. I have been told its a crash fest and to take the not so good bike (Bianchi Sempre Ultegra w/mavix Kysrium elite vs Giant Defy 3 Sora with 4ZA cirrus).

    Maybe the old bike the first time around to see how I stand and make a decision from thier? Fwiw this is a p3 race for me experience only not expecting points, just to hang on to the bunch.
  • gotwood25
    gotwood25 Posts: 314
    There were 62 riders in the crit I did on Saturday in some extreme wind conditions, no issues and I felt totally comfortable in the group. Only problem with using the good bike was I had to give it a proper clean rather than just throwing a bucket of water of it like I do the winter bike :-)
  • iPete
    iPete Posts: 6,076
    Kryton57 wrote:
    Interesting thread.

    I'm going to race at Hillingdon over the next few weeks, Saturday is my first race this season. I have been told its a crash fest and to take the not so good bike (Bianchi Sempre Ultegra w/mavix Kysrium elite vs Giant Defy 3 Sora with 4ZA cirrus).

    Maybe the old bike the first time around to see how I stand and make a decision from thier? Fwiw this is a p3 race for me experience only not expecting points, just to hang on to the bunch.

    I've raced there 7 or 8 times (cat4 and 3/4) and yet to see a crash whilst racing. I've seen one or two spectating and there was the big finish line crash a few weeks ago that made the papers.
    http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/racing/b ... ver-149503

    But either way, take the old bike, it won't make any difference to your result.
  • gotwood25
    gotwood25 Posts: 314
    Race 2 of the series and nearly came a cropper losing the backend on a slippery bit of track (icy in places but gritted before the start) but just managed to hold it. I think I am pretty much over my fear of crashing and accept it will probably happen at some point, so putting away a little side kitty each month to go to repairs or new super bike depending on how long it takes to crash.

    Got my first British Cycling points as well so a proud day. :-)
  • iPete
    iPete Posts: 6,076
    gotwood25 wrote:
    Race 2 of the series and nearly came a cropper losing the backend on a slippery bit of track (icy in places but gritted before the start) but just managed to hold it. I think I am pretty much over my fear of crashing and accept it will probably happen at some point, so putting away a little side kitty each month to go to repairs or new super bike depending on how long it takes to crash.

    Got my first British Cycling points as well so a proud day. :-)

    Good work, all the worry soon evaporates once you get stuck in.

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